- South Korea sees cooperation potential with Taiwan over U.S. semiconductor-tariff negotiations and treatment.
- South Korea’s U.S. trade deal ensures no worse treatment than future counterparts like Taiwan.
- In Octobe,r South Korea’s semiconductor exports to the U.S. jumped 51.2 percent to US$1.2 billion.
South Korea says there is potential to collaborate with Taiwan in response to U.S. semiconductor tariff policy, according to its trade minister. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo noted that since Taiwan is currently in negotiations with the U.S., there exists an opportunity for South Korea and Taiwan to work together to secure favorable treatment.
Earlier this month, South Korea concluded a trade agreement with the U.S. that included a commitment by South Korea to make significant investments in U.S. strategic sectors. As part of the deal, the U.S. pledged that any semiconductor-tariff provisions covering South Korea will be “no less favorable than terms that may be offered in a future agreement covering a volume of semiconductor trade at least as large as South Korea’s”. South Korean officials interpret that clause as implicitly referring to Taiwan, a major chip competitor.
While U.S. officials have privately indicated they might delay implementing high-profile semiconductor tariffs, a central element of former President Donald Trump’s economic agenda, South Korean officials declined to confirm whether specific discussions with Taiwan have taken place.
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Meanwhile, October customs data show that South Korea’s exports of semiconductors to the U.S. rose by 51.2% year-on-year, reaching USD 1.2 billion amid growing demand for advanced chips used in AI applications.
Minister Yeo’s comments highlight Seoul’s intent to proactively engage with other chip-making economies to strengthen its position in the evolving global semiconductor trade landscape. As major economies vie for leadership in AI-driven technologies, cooperative moves among key industry players like South Korea and Taiwan may shape the structure of future trade deals and tariff regimes. The interplay between national trade agreements, strategic investments and shifting tariff threats means that securing favorable terms is likely to remain high on the agenda for both countries.